When residents in surrounding neighborhoods complained of crime stemming from the Valley Heights complex, the city of Little Rock sued to declare it a nuisance. (Luke Jones)

Henry Management Inc. was removed from its management of the Plaza Towers in Little Rock after a fire broke out in a second-floor apartment. One died in the blaze. Jason Bolden, a real estate attorney, said poor management is almost always the cause for decline of places like Plaza Towers. (Luke Jones)

Sometimes, properties are so dangerous the government steps in. Management is fired. Residents are evicted. Buildings are razed. How does a property get to this point, and what can landlords do to prevent it?